Consultancy pledges to push greater maritime accessibility

A new consultancy pledges to open the maritime industry up to disabled people by building in accessibility from the outset rather than adding measures post build.

‘Accessible Oceans’ has been launched by Geoff Holt MBE DL, who was paralysed as a teenager, and Neil Wilson, who has worked in the disability sector for more than 20 years.

The company will work in the UK and internationally, helping organisations think about accessibility earlier and build it properly into the way places, vessels and services are designed and operated.

It could also have benefits for the commercial marine sector as it faces ongoing crew recruitment shortages.

Holt, a record-breaking yachtsman and disability access campaigner, said accessibility should be embedded in board-level decisions, design briefs, operating procedures and staff culture. “For too long, accessibility in parts of the maritime sector has been treated as something to consider after the major decisions have already been made. Accessible Oceans has been created to change that,” he said. “Done properly, accessibility is not simply about compliance. It is about better design, better customer service, safer and more effective operations, stronger reputation and opening maritime experiences to a much wider market.

“One ramp does not make a port, marina or vessel accessible.”

The consultancy will focus on the entire user journey, including boarding arrangements, information, equipment, procedures and infrastructure.

Wilson, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the disability sector and previously served as chief executive of the Wetwheels Foundation, said accessibility had to be considered across the complete customer journey.

“If one part of that journey does not work, the whole experience can quickly become inaccessible,” he said.

Holt founded Wetwheels, which operates accessible powerboats to give disabled people opportunities to experience the water. His sailing achievements include becoming the first quadriplegic sailor to sail solo around Great Britain in 2007 and subsequently crossing the Atlantic.

Accessible Oceans said its work would focus on practical solutions that organisations could incorporate into design, procurement and daily operations, rather than accessibility as a matter of minimum compliance alone.

“The bigger opportunity is to make accessibility a normal part of how the maritime sector designs, procures and operates,” Holt said.